Unit 7 - Jewish Beliefs Flashcards
What do Jews believe about God?
• One God
• Creator
• Judge
• Law-giver
Shekinah
It is God’s presence dwelling in the world.
When is the Shekinah mentioned in scripture?
• In chronicles fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, then the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
• In exodus God guided the Israelites by day of a pillar of cloud and of fire by night.
• In exodus God’s presence guides Moses through the wilderness to the promised land.
How is the Shekinah experienced?
• Prayer
• Study
• Worship
Why is the Shekinah important?
• It means that Jews can be close to God whenever and wherever they are.
• It is a teaching of the Rabbis, as well as the Tenakh and the Torah.
Divergent beliefs about the Shekinah?
• Some Jews see the Shekinah as being like the feminine attributes of the divine.
• Other Jews see it being more like the Holy Spirit.
How is the Messiah presented in scripture?
1) Free the people of Israel from exile.
2) Bring them into an improved society that follows the law.
What do Jews believe about the Messiah?
• He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem - so he will unite all peoples of the world and make the world aware of the presence of God
• He will bring about the Messianic age
• He is a descendant of King David, being a charismatic leader
• He will be a human
• He will be a military leader
• He will be a political leader - well versed in Jewish law and able to judge people accordingly
Why is the Messiah important in Jewish faith?
• It is one of the 13 key beliefs - Jews will pray for the coming of the Messiah daily.
• Jews will work for peace and justice, as when this is brought about they believe the Messianic age will come about.
• The messiah is believed to be the person who will lead the Jewish people back to Israel in the end of days.
Divergent views of the Messianic age?
• Some Jews believe there is a possibility of the Messiah in every generation.
• Some believe that the Messiah will only come when all commands are followed by each and every Jew.
• Some believe God knows a set date.
• Some believe the Messiah will come when most needed, or most deserved.
Covenant
An agreement between 2 parties, which benefits both. Both parties need to keep certain conditions or fulfill obligations.
Brit olam
‘Everlasting covenant’
This shows Jews believe that God will not break the covenant. However, they recognise that from time to time they do not fulfil their obligations and break the law.
Key events of the covenant at Sinai?
1) Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household. He discovered his Jewish heritage and had to leave Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster.
2) God appeared to Moses as a burning bush and told him to return to Egypt to lead the Jewish people to freedom. He spoke to pharaoh and triggered ten plagues.
3) The final plague promoted Pharoah to allow Moses to leave with the Jewish people. He crossed the Reed Sea to freedom and took the people to Mount Sinai.
4) At Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with the Jewish people but with an important difference from earlier covenants: Jews who did not follow the agreements would be punished. It identified Jews as chosen people of God and the Ten Commandments were given.
5) Moses was then given the rest of the Torah and was also given the Oral Torah, later written as the Talmud.
Why is the covenant important in Judaism?
• The law of the Torah is still followed today.
• The Torah is read in the synagogue every Sabbath from the scroll kept in the Ark.
• It is a covenant made with God, meaning that God especially made an agreement with the Jewish people showing his love for them.
How does the covenant at Sinai impact Jews today?
• The 10 commandments are read 3 times a year, however most Rabbis emphasise the importance of the 613.
• Every synagogue has the tablets at the front, usually by the Ark.
• Traditional Jews are very strict with the laws, especially not working in the Sabbath, however modern Jews are a little less strict.
Key events of the covenant with Abraham?
1) God called Abraham to leave his home and family. He was promised the reward of the land and many descendants.
2) Abraham sealed the covenant by circumcising himself and all the males in his family.
3) There were ten tests for Abraham; the first was leaving his home.
4) The final test was to sacrifice his son Isaac; and angel and stopped the sacrifice because Abraham and Isaac showed they were obedient.
5) The final test was to sacrifice his son Isaac; and angel and stopped the sacrifice because Abraham and Isaac showed they were obedient.
Why is the covenant with Abraham important?
• Jews believe that the covenant with Abraham is when God gave them the promised land.
• As a sign of the covenant Jews get circumcised showing faith to God.
• Abraham himself is important as he is the father of the faith and monotheism.
What’s the importance of the Holy Land?
• Many pilgrimages are associated to be completed there.
• Often Jews will pray for a return to the promised land.
Pikuach Nefesh?
The importance and need to preserve human life.
In the Talmud it says that Pikuach Nefesh is the most important Mitzvot. You can break all other laws in order to save life.
Why is Pikuach Nefesh an important Jewish belief?
• Guidance on moral and ethical issues.
• It’s a Mitzvot from God - overrides any do not commands.
• Values the holiness of life as a gift from God.
How is belief in sanctity of life shown by Jews?
• Those who are ill are not permitted to fast on yom kipper.
• Doctors are allowed to answer emergency calls on Shabbat.
• Abortions to save the life of a mother are mandatory.
Divergent Jewish attitudes towards abortion and contraception?
• Most Jews only allow abortion when the mothers life is at risk.
• Some more modern Jews are more lenient and may allow abortions in the first 40 days
• Most Jews allow contraception, however very traditional Jews do not agree with it.
Divergent Jewish attitudes towards euthanasia?
• Some very traditional Jews do not agree with euthanasia or suicide whatsoever, even pulling of the life support machine is not allowed.
• All Jews agree that assisted dying is wrong, however many Jews would look with sympathy to those who commit suicide.
Divergent Jewish attitudes towards organ donation?
• Modern Jews support organ donation
• Traditional Jews also support organ donation, however worry about when the transplant happens.
• Sometimes organs are transplanted before someone is dead, this means that death is being hastened which is not allowed.
